U.S. patent number 6,345,626 [Application Number 09/621,391] was granted by the patent office on 2002-02-12 for mascara applicator having compressible array of discs.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Color Access, Inc.. Invention is credited to Herve F. Bouix.
United States Patent |
6,345,626 |
Bouix |
February 12, 2002 |
Mascara applicator having compressible array of discs
Abstract
A cosmetic applicator which has an array of independent discs
which compress during withdrawal from a container so that excess
product can be removed from the applicator by a wiper. After
passage through the wiper, the discs return to their expanded
position by the action of a spring. The compressing of the discs
during withdrawal allows a controlled amount of product to remain
on the applicator for application by the consumer, and the
returning of the discs to their expanded position by the spring
causes the discs to assume a configuration which allows the
applicator to effectively comb and separate the eyelashes.
Inventors: |
Bouix; Herve F. (New York,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Color Access, Inc. (Melville,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
24489968 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/621,391 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/218;
401/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B
13/003 (20130101); A45D 40/267 (20130101); A46B
9/021 (20130101); A46B 2200/106 (20130101); A46B
2200/1053 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A46B
9/02 (20060101); A46B 13/00 (20060101); A46B
9/00 (20060101); A45D 40/26 (20060101); A45D
040/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;132/216,218,313,317,318,320 ;15/223,224,209.1,211
;401/126,127,129,122 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Manahan; Todd E.
Assistant Examiner: Comstock; David C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kenyon & Kenyon
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cosmetic package comprising:
a container having a closed end, an open end, and a wall connecting
the closed end to the open end, said wall and closed end defining a
product compartment;
a neck extending annularly from the open end of the container, said
neck having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a closure having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an
underside, said closure removably mounted about the neck of the
container;
an elongated rod having a distal end and a proximal end, said
proximal end attached to the undersurface of the closure;
an applicator provided at the distal end of the rod and adapted to
pass through the neck of the container and into the product
compartment, said applicator comprising;
an array of independent discs, each disc having a central aperture
through which the distal end of the rod is slidably disposed, each
disc having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper
surface of one disc facing the lower surface of the next successive
disc when the discs are aligned in the array, the opposed upper
surface and lower surface of each successive disc defining a space
therebetween, said array of discs having a distal end and a
proximal end and being capable of assuming a first expanded
position and a second compressed position;
a first stop attached to the distal end of the rod at the distal
end of the array;
a second stop attached to the rod at the proximal end of the array,
the first stop and the second stop defining an area on the rod
within which movement of the array of discs is restricted; and
a plurality of springs for biasing the array of discs into the
first expanded position from the second compressed position, at
least one of the plurality of springs positioned between each disc
and a next successive disc in the array of discs, at least one of
the plurality of springs is a resiliently flexible arm which
projects either from the upper surface or the lower surface of the
disc; and
a wiper located within the neck of the container, said wiper
defining an opening adapted to remove excess product from the array
of discs as the applicator passes through the neck of the
container.
2. The cosmetic package of claim 1 wherein a recess is provided in
the surface from which the flexible arm projects, said recess
accommodating the arm when the array of discs are in the compressed
position.
3. A cosmetic package comprising:
a container having a closed end, an open end, and a wall connecting
the closed end to the open end, said wall and closed end defining a
product compartment;
a neck extending annularly from the open end of the container, said
neck having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a closure having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an
underside, said closure removably mounted about the neck of the
container;
an elongated rod having a distal end and a proximal end, said
proximal end attached to the undersurface of the closure;
an applicator provided at the distal end of the rod and adapted to
pass through the neck of the container and into the product
compartment, said applicator comprising;
an array of independent discs, each disc having a central aperture
through which the distal end of the rod is slidably disposed, said
array of discs having a distal end and a proximal end and being
capable of assuming a first expanded position and a second
compressed position;
a first stop attached to the distal end of the rod at the distal
end of the array;
a second stop attached to the rod at the proximal end of the array,
the first stop and the second stop defining an area on the rod
within which movement of the array of discs is restricted; and
a plurality of springs for biasing the array of discs into the
first expanded position from the second compressed position, at
least one of the plurality of springs positioned between each disc
and a next successive disc in the array of discs and at least one
of the plurality of springs further comprising a base with a
central opening and a plurality of compressible projections
extending upwardly from the base; and
a wiper located within the neck of the container, said wiper
defining an opening adapted to remove excess product from the array
of discs as the applicator passes through the neck of the
container.
4. The cosmetic package of claim 3 wherein the base and the
projections are made from an elastomeric material chosen from the
group consisting of santoprene, silicone elastomers, rubbers, and
thermoplastic elastomers, and the base is bi-injection molded
within the central aperture of the disc.
5. A cosmetic applicator comprising:
an elongated rod having a distal end and a proximal end;
an array of independent discs, each disc having a central aperture
through which the distal end of the rod is slidably disposed, each
disc having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper
surface of one disc facing the lower surface of the next successive
disc when the discs are aligned in the array, the opposed upper
surface and lower surface of each successive disc defining a space
therebetween, said array of discs having a distal end and a
proximal end and being capable of assuming a first expanded
position and a second compressed position;
a first stop attached to the distal end of the rod at the distal
end of the array;
a second stop attached to the rod at the proximal end of the array,
the first stop and the second stop defining an area on the rod
within which movement of the array of discs is restricted; and
a plurality of springs, at least one of the plurality of springs
positioned between each disc and a next successive disc in the
array of discs, at least one of the plurality of springs is a
resiliently flexible arm which projects either from the upper
surface or the lower surface of the disc, the plurality of springs
biasing the array of discs into the first expanded position from
the second compressed position.
6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 5 wherein a recess is provided
along the surface from which the arm projects, said recess
accommodating the arm when the array of discs are in the compressed
position.
7. A cosmetic applicator comprising:
an elongated rod having a distal end and a proximal end;
an array of independent discs, each disc having a central aperture
through which the distal end of the rod is slidably disposed, said
array of discs having a distal end and a proximal end and being
capable of assuming a first expanded position and a second
compressed position;
a first stop attached to the distal end of the rod at the distal
end of the array;
a second stop attached to the rod at the proximal end of the array,
the first stop and the second stop defining an area on the rod
within which movement of the array of discs is restricted; and
a plurality of springs, at least one of the plurality of springs
positioned between each disc and a next successive disc in the
array of discs, at least one of the plurality of springs comprising
a base with a central opening and a plurality of compressible
projections extending upwardly from the base, the plurality of
springs biasing the array of discs into the first expanded position
from the second compressed position.
8. The cosmetic applicator of claim 7 wherein the base and
projections are an elastomeric material, and the base is
bi-injection molded within the central aperture of the disc.
9. The cosmetic applicator of claim 8 wherein the elastomeric
material is chosen from the group consisting of santoprene,
silicone elastomers, rubbers, and thermoplastic elastomers.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to applicators for mascara or similar
pasty products. More particularly, the present invention relates to
mascara applicators that employ means other than bristles for the
application of the mascara product to the consumer's eyelashes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional mascara brush typically consists of an intertwisted
wire core with a plurality of regularly disposed bristles extending
radially from the wire core in a helical array. See, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,632,136, 4,733,425, 4,861,179, 4,887,622,
4,898,193, 4,927,281, 4,974,612, 4,993,440, 5,197,497, 5,238,011,
5,370,141, 5,542,439 and 5,588,450.
This mascara brush is then attached to a handle. The handle is then
attached to, or is an integral part of, a closure. This closure,
when placed on a container, engages the neck of the container to
seal the brush within the container's internal chamber which
contains the mascara product.
In use, the consumer removes the closure from the container, and
thus also removes the brush from the internal chamber of the
container. As the brush containing the mascara product is removed
from the container it must first pass through a wiper contained
within the neck of the container. The wiper removes excess product
from the bristles of the brush so that an excessive amount of
product is not present when the consumer tries to apply the product
to her eyelashes.
There may be certain drawbacks to these types of mascara
applicators. Namely, the relationship between the wiper and the
brush is not always ideal, in that, the wiper orifice by design,
cannot effectively scrape the product from the brush to leave an
optimum amount of product on the brush for application by the
consumer. This is because the diameter of the wiper orifice is such
that the center region of the brush, i.e., the twisted wire core,
is not wiped, thus causing an excessive build-up of product along
the core.
If, however, the diameter of the wiper orifice is made smaller so
as to reach and wipe the core of the brush, other problems are
encountered which may impede the combing characteristics of the
brush. For example, the bristles of the brush may become matted
down along the core due to the increased force on the bristles as
they pass by the smaller wiper orifice. Also, the reduced diameter
of the wiper orifice may cause too much product to be removed from
the edges of the bristles, thereby not leaving enough product
available for application to the eyelashes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,282 to Wavering discloses a mascara applicator
which comprises a series of edge-tapered ring-like discs which are
disposed as an axial array along a rod-like wand. The array of
discs remain stationary relative to the rod, but the discs have
flexible marginal edges and define annular grooves therebetween. As
the applicator is withdrawn from the container, the discs pass
through a wiping ring. Upon passage through the wiping ring the
discs are flexed or deformed, and excess mascara is removed. The
drawbacks to this type of flexible applicator generally leads to
compatibility problems with volatile solvent-based mascara
products, wherein the flexible discs swell when exposed to the
product. The swelled discs make it difficult, if not impossible,
for the discs to pass through the wiping ring of the container,
thus making the package unusable.
Thus, a mascara applicator which can deliver a consistent amount of
mascara product to the eyelashes, comb and separate the same
lashes, and be compatible with even the most volatile of
formulations is still needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Provided for herein is a cosmetic package and applicator which can
both deliver a consistent amount of product to a consumer's
eyelashes, as well as comb and separate the lashes.
This package comprises a container having a closed end, an open
end, and a wall which connects the closed end to the open end
thereby defining a product compartment. The open end of the
container is provided with an annular extending neck which defines
a passage to the product compartment. A wiper is located within the
neck of the container and defines a restricted orifice. A closure,
which is removably mounted on the neck portion, is then
provided.
An elongated rod having a distal end and a proximal end is attached
to the closure and projects into the product compartment of the
container. The distal end of the rod is an applicator which is
adapted to pass through the wiper so as to remove excess product
from the applicator as it is withdrawn from the container. The
applicator comprises an array of independent discs, each
independent disc having a central aperture through which the distal
end of the rod is slidably disposed. The array of independent discs
are capable of sliding on the distal end of the rod between a first
expanded position and a second compressed position. Each
independent disc is provided with a spring. The spring biases its
respective disc into the first expanded position from the second
compressed position after the disc passes through the wiper.
The benefits of the aforementioned applicator are twofold. First,
the compressing of the array of discs during the withdrawal of the
applicator from the container allows a controlled amount of product
to remain on the applicator for application by the consumer.
Second, the biasing of the discs into their expanded position by
the spring causes the discs to assume a configuration which allows
the applicator to effectively comb and separate the eyelashes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become evident from the following detailed description
considered in light of the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container and
applicator of the present invention, wherein the applicator is in
the expanded position;
FIGS. 2A through 2E show top plan views of various shaped discs for
use with the present invention;
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the disc and
spring of the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the
disc and spring of the present invention;
FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the
disc and spring of the present invention;
FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the discs and rod of the present
invention with an index;
FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the
disc and spring of the present invention;
FIG. 4A is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of the disc
of the present invention;
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the disc of FIG. 4A, wherein
the ribs are perpendicular to the axis of the disc;
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the disc of FIG. 4A, wherein
the ribs are at an angle to the axis of the disc;
FIG. 5A is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of the disc
and spring of the present invention;
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A--A of FIG.
4A;
FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment
taken along line A--A of FIG. 4A; and
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container and
applicator of the present invention, wherein the applicator is in
the compressed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a partial
cross-sectional view of the package of the present invention,
generally referred to as 1. A container 2 is provided for housing
the cosmetic product. The container 2 has a closed end 3, an open
end 4, and a wall 5 which connects the closed end 3 to the open end
4 and defines a product compartment 6. The open end 4 is provided
with an annular extending neck 7. The neck 7 has an inner surface
7a and an outer surface 7b. A wiper 24 is disposed along the inner
surface 7a of the neck 7 of the container 2. The wiper 24 can be a
separate piece which is inserted into the neck of the container, or
the wiper can be an integrally molded ring which projects inwardly
from the inner surface 7a of the neck 7 of the container.
Regardless of which structure is chosen, the wiper 24 defines an
opening 25 through which the applicator 16 passes when being
inserted or withdrawn from the container. The purpose of the wiper
24 is to remove excess product from the applicator 16 before use by
the consumer.
A closure 8 is provided for the container 2. The closure 8 has an
outer surface 9, an inner surface 10, and an undersurface 10a. The
closure is removably mounted about the neck 7 of the container.
Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, the closure 8 is removably
mounted about the neck 7 of the container by two sets of opposing
threads, one set 11 projecting inwardly from the inner surface 10
of the closure 8, and the other set 12 projecting outwardly from
the outer surface 7b of the neck 7. The closure can be removably
mounted on the container neck by means other than the opposing
threads shown and described herein, such means being well known in
the art and a matter of routine modification to the disclosed
structure. Such alternate means include, for example, buttress
threads or lug threads.
An elongated rod 13 having a distal end 14 and a proximal end 15 is
attached to the undersurface 10a of the closure 8 at the proximal
end 15. Provided at distal end 14 of the elongated rod 13 is an
applicator, generally referred to as 16, which projects into the
product compartment 6. The applicator 16 is adapted to pass through
the opening 25 of the wiper 24 as the applicator 16 is inserted and
withdrawn from the container 2.
The applicator 16 of the present invention comprises an array of
independent discs 17. Each disc 17 is made from a semi-rigid or
rigid material, so that upon passage through the opening 25 of the
wiper 24 the discs 17 will not flex or distort, but rather will
cause the wiper to flex and allow the discs to pass therethrough.
As defined herein, the term "semi-rigid material", as used with
respect to the discs, is defined as any material or design which
may be somewhat flexible, but will not flex when in contact with
the wiper. As defined herein, the term "rigid material", as used
with respect to the discs, is defined as any material or design
which is substantially inflexible and will not readily flex,
regardless of the material chosen for the wiper. Preferably, the
material used for the discs will be rigid and non-flexible. With
this in mind, it will be apparent to the skilled artisan that
numerous materials can be chosen for the wiper and the discs as
long as the discs are "rigid" in relation to the material chosen
for the wiper.
Each material contemplated for use for the discs or the wiper will
have associated with it certain parameters which will allow the
disc and the wiper to have the required rigidity and flexibility,
such parameters including the thickness of the material, and the
molecular density of the material, to name a few, such parameters
being known in the art. Preferably, however, the discs will have a
shore hardness factor of about 100 or more.
Suitable materials for the disc include metals, such as, for
example, aluminum and stainless steel; and plastics, such as, for
example, styrene, acetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon,
polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthlate, polycarbonate,
acrylic, and the like. Suitable materials for the wiper include,
for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, silicone, nylon,
and the like.
As seen more clearly in FIGS. 2A-4C, each independent disc 17 has a
central aperture 18 through which the distal end 14 of the rod 13
is slidably disposed. Each disc 17 has an upper surface 19 and a
lower surface 20 so that, when the discs are aligned in the array,
the upper surface 19 of one disc faces the lower surface 20 of the
next successive disc within the array and defines a space 21
therebetween. Because each disc 17 is slidably disposed on the
distal end 14 of the rod 13, each disc is free to move axially
along the rod, thereby allowing the array of discs to assume a
first expanded position, as seen in FIG. 1, and a second compressed
position, as seen in FIG. 6.
A first stop 40 and a second stop 41 is provided for retaining the
array of discs on the distal end 14 of the rod 13. The first stop
40 is located at the distal end 50 of the array and the second stop
41 is located at the proximal end 51 of the array. The first stop
40 and the second stop 41 define an area on the distal end 14 of
the rod 13 within which movement of the array of discs is
restricted. The first stop and the second stop can be any physical
structure which creates a barrier that will not allow the discs to
pass when compressed or expanded, such as, for example, relief
bumps which project outwardly from the rod, or the permanent
adhering of the first and last discs in the array to the rod
itself, or, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the area of the rod in which
the discs are to be placed has a smaller diameter than that of the
remaining portion of the rod thereby defining stops 40 and 41 at
either end of the array which will not allow the discs to pass. It
will be evident to one skilled in the art that, in order to
assemble the discs onto the distal end of the rod, one of the stops
must be secured to the rod after the discs are slidably disposed
thereon. This can be accomplished, for example, by making the first
stop a separate piece that can be fastened to the rod after the
discs are in place, or by melting the end of the rod into a
bulb-like configuration after the discs are in place.
Preferably, the central aperture 18 of each disc and the distal end
14 of the rod 13 co-operate to form an index which prevents the
discs from rotating about the distal end of the rod. As seen more
clearly in FIG. 3D, the index is preferably a tongue and groove
configuration. As shown, a groove 30 is provided off of the
perimeter of the central aperture 18 of the disc 17. The groove 30
is designed to fit about a tongue 31 along the distal end 14 of the
rod 13. The alignment of the tongue 31 and groove 30 prevent the
disc 17 from rotating about the axis of the rod 13. Restricting the
discs from rotating about the axis of the rod allows more effective
separation and combing of the eyelashes because the stiffness
associated with the non-rotating discs allows easier passage of the
discs through the lashes when forced against them, as opposed to
having the discs rotate after contact. As seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, an
index can also be created by forming the distal end 14 of the rod
13 and the central aperture 18 of the discs 17 as complementary
shapes such as, for example, oval, square, or triangular.
It may be desirable, however, to have all of the discs rotate after
contact with the lashes if a gentler combing effect is desired. In
this instance, the index will not be present. It will also be
evident that, in order to provide an intermediate combing
stiffness, or both stiff and gentle combing actions, it may be
preferred that only some of the discs will be able to rotate about
the rod. The rotatable discs may be alternated or randomly
interspersed within the array, or may be arranged in distinct
functional zones within the array by the limited distribution of an
index to only those discs in which rotation is not desired.
As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2A through 4B, the shape of
the perimeter 32 of the discs 17 can vary. The perimeter 32 may be,
for example, circular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, star-shaped,
and the like. Also, the perimeter 32 of each disc 17, as seen more
clearly in FIGS. 3B and 4B, for example, can be either formed with
or without a taper. In other words, each disc can have a uniform
thickness throughout the disc, or the thickness of each disc can
decrease from the center of the disc towards the perimeter. In a
particular embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 4A-4C, the perimeter 32 of
the disc is provided with a plurality of ribs 33. The ribs 33 can
project from the perimeter 32 of the disc 17 either perpendicularly
relative to the axis of the disc, as in FIG. 4B, or at an angle
relative to the axis the disc, as seen in FIG. 4C. The addition of
the ribs along the perimeter of the disc allows for a greater
combing an separating action of the applicator. Each different
shape contemplated has associated with it different wiping and
combing characteristics. The choice of which shape to use will be
chosen based on the application characteristics desired. It will be
evident that the discs comprising the applicator do not all have to
be of the same shape and size, and can be mixed and matched
accordingly.
Within the space 21 defined by the upper surface 19 and lower
surface 20 of each opposing disc, a spring 22 is positioned. The
spring 22 biases the array of discs into the first expanded
position from the second compressed position. The spring can be any
device which will allow the discs to be moved, with the application
of a sufficient force, from the expanded position into the
compressed position, and then back to the expanded position when
that force is removed.
For example, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2A-2E, and 3A-3B, the spring is a
resiliently flexible arm which projects either from the upper
surface 19 or lower surface 20 of the disc 17. 20 Preferably, the
arm is integrally molded with, and made of the same material as the
disc.
When the arm and the disc are made of the same material it will be
evident that, in order for the arm to be flexible and the disc to
remain rigid, the arm will have a smaller cross-section at the
junction 23 between the arm and the disc. The thickness of the
cross-section of the arm will be determined according to the
flexural properties of the material chosen for the disc, each
material having associated with it certain dimensions which will
allow the arm to be resiliently flexible.
The arm acts as a spring by flexing at the junction 23 of the arm
and the disc 17 when the disc contacts the wiper 24 as the rod and
applicator are withdrawn from the container, as shown in FIG. 6.
Then, when the disc clears the wiper 24, the arm returns to its
original position and thus causes the array of discs to return to
their expanded position.
The degree of compression of the discs can be controlled, for
example, by selecting a material and arm design that will allow the
discs to compress only to a certain point, thus controlling the
space between the discs and the amount of product therebetween.
Also, as seen in FIG. 3A, if a greater degree of compression is
required, a recess 26 is provided along the surface from which the
arm projects. The recess 26 is designed to accommodate the arm when
the array of discs are compressed. The recess 26 eliminates the
interference created between the arm and the surface of the disc
from which it extends, while the arm is flexed toward that surface,
during the compression of the array of discs.
In alternate embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 3C and 3E, the spring 22
is an elastic ring 29, 29a having a central opening 27. The elastic
ring 29, 29a is made of a compressible material. The central
opening 27 allows each elastic ring 29, 29a to be slidably disposed
on the distal end 14 of the rod 13 between adjacent rigid discs 17.
Suitable materials for the elastic ring 29, 29a include plastic or
rubber compounds, such as, for example, polyurethane, urethane
foam, santoprene, silicone elastomers, rubbers, thermoplastic
elastomers, and the like. The elastic ring 29, 29a acts as a spring
by compressing when the disc contacts the wiper 24 as the rod and
applicator are withdrawn from the container. The elastic ring 29
shown in FIG. 3C has a rectangular elevational cross-section, so
that compression characteristics of the elastic ring 29 are
substantially determined by the elasticity of the material and the
dimensions of the cross-section. The elastic ring 29a shown in FIG.
3E has a V-shaped elevational cross-section that defines an
outwardly opening annular channel 71. Thus, the compression
characteristics of the elastic ring 29a shown in FIG. 3E are
determined by the V-shaped cross-section, the elasticity of the
material and the dimensions of the ring 29a. The channel 71 also
increases the loading or storage capacity of the space 21 between
discs 17.
In each case, as each successive disc 17 clears the wiper 24, a
corresponding elastic ring 29, 29a returns to its uncompressed
state. When sufficient elastic rings are uncompressed, the array of
discs returns to its expanded position. Similar to the arm
embodiment, the degree of compression of the discs can also be
determined by material, shape and dimension selection. The
determination of the compression will be a simple matter of
selecting an elastic ring 29, 29a to have a material, shape and
dimension with the desired compression characteristics, thus
controlling the space between the discs and the amount of product
therebetween.
In a further embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a spring 60 is
bi-injection molded with a disc 61. The process of bi-injection
molding is well known process which allows two or more materials to
be substantially simultaneously injected into a single mold to
obtain an integral part.
The disc 61 has a central aperture 68 defined by a wall 62. The
spring 60 has a base 67 defined by and positioned within the
aperture of the disc 61. The spring 60 is formed of a compressible
material and has a central opening 63 in the base 67 through which
the distal end 14 of the rod 13 is slidably disposed. Referring to
FIG. 5C, an alternative elastomeric spring 60a is shown that has a
base 67a positioned between two discs rather than being positioned
coaxially within a single disc. The spring 60A may be bi-injection
molded with a disc, or may be molded separately, but otherwise has
the same elements as the elastomeric spring 60 shown in FIGS.
5A-5B. Preferably, the elastomeric spring 60, 60a is formed of an
elastomeric material, such as, for example, santoprene; silicone
elastomers; rubbers; thermoplastic elastomers; and the like.
In order to allow the spring 60, 60a to compress and expand, the
spring 60, 60a is shaped so as to have a plurality of projections
64. The projections 64 extend upwardly from the base 67, 67a, i.e.,
upwardly relative to the upper surface 65 of the disc. The
projections extend upwardly toward a lower surface 66 of the next
successive disc 61. When a disc 17 contacts the wiper 24 as the rod
and applicator are withdrawn from the container, at least the
projections 64 of the spring 60, 60a compress. Then, as each
successive disc clears the wiper 24, a corresponding spring 60,
60a, including the projections 64 returns to an uncompressed state.
When sufficient springs 60, 60a have returned to the uncompressed
state, the array of discs return to their expanded position.
Similar to the previous embodiments, this embodiment allows the
degree of compression of the discs to be controlled. Controlling
the degree of compression will be a simple matter of selecting a
material, shape and dimension suitable to achieve the desired
compression characteristics, thus controlling the space between the
discs and the amount of product retained therebetween. In addition
to the foregoing features and elements of the applicator, the
product loading, wiping and application characteristics of the
array, and the separation and combing characteristics of the array
can be significantly enhanced by providing fibers to the discs of
the array and/or to the springs. This can be accomplished by a
flocking process as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
4,527,575 to Vasas, incorporated herein by reference. Basically,
fibers having a suitable length, thickness, product compatability,
etc., are electrostatically charged, and provided to selected
components of the applicator by way of an electrical field.
Adhesive applied to selected surfaces of the components anchors the
fibers perpendicularly to the surface in desired locations. The
selected components can be flocked in this way either before or
after assembly of the applicator. Alternatively, to avoid the use
of adhesives, the flocking process can be integrated into the
production process for the components of the applicator by
providing the electrostatically charged fibers to a component
before a selected surface of the component is fully cured.
Subsequent curing of the component surface will anchor the fibers
perpendicularly in the surface. This method of flocking may be
particularly suited for discs and/or springs made from curable
thermoplastic resins or elastomers.
As noted, the fibers may be applied to selected components, i.e.,
discs, springs, and/or to selected surfaces of selected components,
i.e., the perimeter of the disc, the upper and/or lower surface of
the disc, the outwardly directed surfaces of the disc or spring.
Referring to FIG. 1, flocked fibers 70 are shown in exemplary
configurations. In the configuration shown generally at 72, the
fibers cover substantially all exposed surfaces of the discs 17 and
springs 22. At reference number 74, an exemplary configuration is
shown wherein fibers are only provided to surfaces directed into
the spaces 21 between discs. And in an exemplary configuration
shown at 76, fibers are shown only at the perimeter of the discs.
It will be understood that the fibers may be applied to all or part
of any of the embodiments of the disc or spring components
discussed herein, (see, for example, FIGS. 3C, 3E, 5B and 5C), and
in any combination of configurations. Because the discs 17 of the
applicator 16 move with respect to each other, e.g., when the array
is drawn through the wiper, on an applicator made according to this
disclosure including flocked fibers, product loading can be
particularly well controlled, especially in the spaces 21 between
discs.
The benefits of the aforementioned applicator are twofold. First,
the compressing of the discs during the withdrawal of the
applicator from the container allows a controlled amount of product
to remain on the applicator for application by the consumer.
Second, the biasing of the discs into their expanded position by
the spring causes the discs to assume a configuration which allows
the applicator to effectively comb and separate the eyelashes.
When the consumer inserts the applicator into the product
compartment of the container, the product is deposited onto the
applicator, and in particular, within the spaces defined by the
upper surface and lower surface of each successive disc within the
array. Then, when the consumer withdraws the applicator from the
container, the applicator, and the product deposited thereon,
contacts the wiper. When the applicator contacts the wiper, the
array of discs are compressed, thereby decreasing the space between
each disc and squeezing out a certain amount of product from
between the discs. The amount of product remaining between the
discs is directly proportional to the degree in which the discs are
allowed to compress, i.e., the more the discs compress, the smaller
the amount of product remaining within the spaces of the array, and
the less the discs compress, the larger the amount of product
remaining. The degree of compression will be a matter of choice as
to how much product will be sufficient for the intended
application.
Next, as the applicator passes through the wiper, the excess
product on the applicator, and that which was squeezed out from
between the discs, is scraped off. Then, after the applicator is
wiped of excess product, the spring biases the array of discs into
their expanded position. This causes the spaces between each disc
to open to their original distance, thus causing the applicator to
assume a toothed configuration which can comb and separate
eyelashes effectively.
The present invention is not limited to the specific details shown
and described; rather, various modifications may be made to the
preferred embodiments described above without departing from the
scope of the invention, which is limited only by the following
claims.
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